Abstract: The present invention provides in particular a device for reinforcing a hollow motor vehicle bodywork element (1) of closed right section, the device being characterized by the fact that said element (1) has means (2; 3; 5) suitable for subjecting its inside space (E) to a shock wave or pressure wave on detecting an impact, such that the energy generated by said wave is sufficient to deform the element by increasing its section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator device used in automobile safety to inflate an airbag. This device is characterized in that it comprises at least one gas source for inflating the airbag and at least one gas outlet orifice, called the first orifice, for gas to flow into the airbag, characterized in that it includes means for making the gas pass through other gas outlet orifices, called second orifices, which are distributed over the device so that it is given a neutral-thrust configuration when it is initiated, although not in service, the device also including means for closing off these second orifices when the device is in service, so that when the device is initiated, the gas passes via the first outlet orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides in particular a device for reinforcing a hollow motor vehicle bodywork element (1) of closed right section, the device being characterized by the fact that said element (1) has means (2; 3; 5) suitable for subjecting its inside space (E) to a shock wave or pressure wave on detecting an impact, such that the energy generated by said wave is sufficient to deform the element by increasing its section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator device used in automobile safety to inflate an airbag. This device is characterized in that it comprises at least one gas source for inflating the airbag and at least one gas outlet orifice, called the first orifice, for gas to flow into the airbag, characterized in that it includes means for making the gas pass through other gas outlet orifices, called second orifices, which are distributed over the device so that it is given a neutral-thrust configuration when it is initiated, although not in service, the device also including means for closing off these second orifices when the device is in service, so that when the device is initiated, the gas passes via the first outlet orifice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid gas generator (1), used for motor vehicle safety to inflate an airbag, comprising a body (2) containing an ignition device (16) and a reservoir (3) connected to the body and containing a pressurized gas (31), together with initially closed-off discharge orifices (10). The body possesses a first pyrotechnic charge (14) capable of generating a quantity of gas which, coupled to the volume of gas (31) contained in the reservoir, allows the airbag to be inflated in a time period of less than 50 milliseconds, and a second pyrotechnic charge (13) capable of generating, after combustion of the first pyrotechnic charge, a quantity of gas sufficient to keep the airbag inflated for a time period of several seconds.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator unit (1) may be used to inflate at least one side airbag. The hybrid gas generator contains a pyrotechnic gas generator (2) produced using a body (5), which contains an igniter (5) and which is provided with first and second ends (6, 7), and a flexible element (8), which contains a pyrotechnic charge (10) and which is attached to the second end of the body; and a pressurized gas (4) reservoir (3) attached to the pyrotechnic gas generator at the first end of the body. In the hybrid gas generator, the igniter is capable during operation of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge contained in the flexible element and of causing the pressurized gas contained in the reservoir to be released.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator unit (1) used to inflate at least one side airbag, comprises a flexible element (9) containing a pyrotechnic charge (10) and possessing an upstream end (13) and a downstream end; a reservoir (18) of pressurized gas (19), the reservoir having an upstream end and a downstream end (30), and an electropyrotechnic igniter (3) housed in a body (2) near the upstream end (13) of the flexible element and the downstream end (30) of the reservoir. The igniter may be capable during operation of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge contained in the flexible element and of causing the pressurized gas contained in the reservoir to be released. The gas generator unit may be designed so that, after combustion of the pyrotechnic charge (10), the pressurized gas (19) escapes firstly from the reservoir (18) in order to pass through the body (2) and then sets off in the opposite direction to pass through the flexible element (9).

Abstract: There is disclosed an electropyrotechnic igniter which contains two ignition heads each having a body containing a resisitive heating element and a pyrotechnic ignition composition. The two ignition heads also include a means of dialogue and of triggering coded information and a means of storing electrical energy. The igniter also includes external connection means intended to be connected electrically to an electronic control unit. The igniter is intended to be used in motor vehicle safety, particular to constitute the ignition device of a gas generator associated with an airbag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid gas generator unit (1) used to inflate at least one side airbag, characterized in that is comprises:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid gas generator unit (1) used to inflate at least one side airbag, characterized in that it comprises:

Abstract: A safety device housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety has an impervious inflatable metal bag fixed to a support, a pyrotechnic charge, and an ignition device intended to be connected to a source of electrical current. The bag includes a first metal sheet which has a central orifice, an intermediate fixing zone attached to the support and a peripheral fixing zone and a solid domed second metal sheet which has a peripheral fixing zone. The two metal sheets are fixed together at their peripheral fixing zones. The pyrotechnic charge is contained in the bag.

Abstract: An electro-pyrotechnic initiator suitable for use in igniting a pyrotechnic generator of gas for inflating an air bag, said initiator being connected to an electric cable comprising two conductive wires, said initiator comprising: (i) a thermosensitive charge which is carried by a heating resistive element consisting of a resistive strip and which is initiatable by said heating resistive element, ((ii) an electric circuit connecting said resistive element to said conductive wires, and (iii) means of electromagnetically protecting said electric circuit, said heating resistive element, said electric circuit and said means of electromagnetically protecting being integrated into a circuit of conductive strips which are joined to said conductive wires and which are printed on a support, said support being in the form of a thin parallelepedial card with two opposite flat faces, said conductive strips being printed on the same face of said support to provide a complete circuit comprising said conductive strips, t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid gas generator (1), used for motor vehicle safety to inflate an airbag, comprising, on the one hand, a body (2) containing an ignition device (16) and, on the other hand, a reservoir (3) connected to the body and containing a pressurized gas (31), together with initially closed-off discharge orifices (10), characterized in that the body possesses:

Abstract: A safety device housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety has an impervious inflatable metal bag fixed to a support, a pyrotechnic charge, and an ignition device intended to be connected to a source of electrical current. The bag includes a first metal sheet which has a central orifice, an intermediate fixing zone attached to the support and a peripheral fixing zone and a solid domed second metal sheet which has a peripheral fixing zone. The two metal sheets are fixed together at their peripheral fixing zones. The pyrotechnic charge is contained in the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator (1) intended especially for motor vehicle safety. The generator (1) includes a pyrotechnic charge (12) of plastic-bonded powder of “Lova” type and a gas exit orifice (14a, 14b) closed by an erodable ring (15) which has a cylindrical orifice (16) shut off by a cover (17). The rupture pressure of the cover (17) and the initial diameter of the orifice (16) are determined so as to avoid the initial extinction of the charge. In the course of functioning the diameter of the orifice (16) increases to avoid the risk of overpressure within the generator. The generator (1) can be employed in a protective device using an inflatable cushion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device (1) housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device (1) housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hybrid gas generators intended to inflate a protective airbag. The generator (1) consists of two metal tubes (50, 51) welded together, the upstream tube (50) being of one piece with an internal partition (26) that has a central orifice (27) closed by a diaphragm (28). The generator thus has a reservoir chamber (29) containing a pressurized gas and a combustion and mixing chamber (46) containing a pyrotechnic device (4) and a support piece (30) carrying a piston-pillar (31) the stroke of which is limited. The hot gases cannot enter the reservoir chamber (29) which may thus contain a greater amount of gas.

Abstract: A safety device housed in a motor vehicle and used in the field of automobile safety has an impervious inflatable metal bag fixed to a support, a pyrotechnic charge, and an ignition device intended to be connected to a source of electrical current. The bag includes a first metal sheet which has a central orifice, an intermediate fixing zone attached to the support and a peripheral fixing zone and a solid domed second metal sheet which has a peripheral fixing zone. The two metal sheets are fixed together at their peripheral fixing zones. The pyrotechnic charge is contained in the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an initiator for a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety.